Today's Devotion: James 4:6 (New International Version) But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."[a]

James is pointing out that we are either of God or we are of the world. Once we submit ourselves to God, we are lifted up by him and will be able to resist the devil.

Today's Comments: It has been a while since I posted an entry. I have been very busy with my Anglican Studies Course, finally finishing my term paper and term project, which discusses how the founders and important writers of the Anglican Church might view the happenings in the Episcopal Church today. My conclusion is that the Episcopal Church has failed to listen to what James has said in this verse. Many who are in charge no longer humble themselves. Many who are running it don't want unity, they want "justice." Dorothy Sayers, here, puts it so aptly: justice becomes equated with revenge. If the Episcopal Church is to survive in the Anglican Communion, and if the Anglican Communion is to survive within its present membership and form, all concerned must be willing to give their hearts and minds to God and seek unity within that which is right and necessary for our salvation. Anything less, then we fail to remain a church. Anything more, and we honor God, not the world.

Today's Devotion: Mark 3:35 (New International Version) - Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."

In Mark 3:21, one reads that "When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."

Today's Comments: According to the Fourfold Gospel on StudyLight.org, Jesus was talking about his spiritual family. In other words, if we are in him and he is in us, we are part of his spiritual family. Paul, in Romans 8:15 talks about our receiving the spirit of sonship. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we become family.

Today's Devotion: Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version) - For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Not only did God prepare man to do good works in his name, but he also has a plan for us that existed before we were created.

Today's Comments: The Book of Jonah tells a story about a man for whom God had a plan. Jonah did everything that he could to resist that plan, but in the end, God convinced Jonah that he needed to do God's work of saving the Ninevites from self destruction. What do we need to do to save ourselves from self-destruction?

Today's Devotion: Hebrews 11:6 (New International Version) - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Today's verse is really about following Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life, as well as our means to salvation. If we do not have faith, how can we follow him?

Today's Comments: “What has philosophy to do with following Jesus?“ is an appropriate question. Theology is the philosophy of religion. Understanding that, we also know that even though it was the Apostles’ intention to establish one church, that one church has split apart and become many different Christian denominations and sects. Each of these groups, like it or not, differs in its theologies. Otherwise, we would be able to unite into one. There are some churches, for example, which do not require a belief in the virgin birth of Our Lord. Others will accept a denial of even the Trinity. There are people and churches, including some clergy in my own Episcopal denomination, that refuse to accept the concept of original sin. Much of our contemporary theology results from modern interpretation and re-interpretation of the writings of Paul. For example, we often discuss and argue about Paul’s views on homosexuality and women in the ministry. All these issues involve theology and its role in interpreting the Bible. Yes, we are told to follow Jesus. But philosophy or theology can help (or can often hinder) us in determining how.

Today's Devotion: John 8 (New International Version) - 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Isn't that what we are doing when we preach schism or division in the church?

Today's Comments: And yet, sometimes we have to stand up for what we believe in, when the church is wrong. Today, I received a message from my church's Senior Warden that the Commission on Ministry has declined to elevate Micah Snell, one of our vocationers, to candidate status for priest. The message said that the letter was signed by our Diocesan Bishop and suggested that Micah's beliefs and practices were incompatible with those of the diocese. This is disturbing, considering the fact that initially the Bishop was excited with Micah's prospects and was even willing to offer him a scholarship to Oxford, if he could get in. The issues here could very well refer to his views on the ordination of women and homosexuals to the priesthood.

William Du Boise, a well known Anglican liberal stated, " Extremes always work themselves off best by freedom to work themselves out. The best expulsion of error is through the freedom permitted to it of self-exposure. Our end in view is not the licensing of error, but the ultimate best, if not only, method of eliminating error by suffering it to meet and be overcome by truth. By all means let the church guard and preserve her faith, order, and discipline, her creeds, her ministry, and her worship. But let her neither indulge the weak fear that these are really endangered or compromised by the fullest freedom conceded to and exercised by her members, nor imagine that danger or harm can be averted by the suppression or expulsion of that freedom. If our desire is to propagate error, there is no surer way than to persecute, suppress, and exclude liberty." If conservatives are being driven out of the church, where is the freedom? I suspect that this is going to have a most adverse affect on our church. We may end up losing our Biola students.

Today's Devotion:2 Corinthians 1:4 (New International Version) - 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.

Comforting our neighbor is a part of loving our neighbor.

Today's Comments: South African Bishop Desmond Tutu said, "God has made us so that we need each other. We are made for a delicate network of interdependence, We see it on a macro level. Not even the most powerful nations in the world can be self sufficient. " I think that Tutu does a good job of explaining this verse.

Today's Devotion: Romans 12:19 (New International Version) - Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[a]says the Lord.

We must treat others with love. Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Today's Comments: I have been working on my term paper for Dr. Greg Peters' Anglican Studies Class (he is mentoring me through independent study). I am putting together a series of Philosophies of the Founders quotes into a PowerPoint so that others might view samples of what Anglicanism is all about. It is not is a single, well thought out, precisely organized theological system. Anglicanism has evolved through the philosophies of its founders. By reading and studying their words, writings, and wisdom, we begin to realize the diversity of its founders, the richness of its heritage, and the inclusiveness of its theology.

Dorothy Sayers (1893-1957), whose apologetics are peppered with humor, appropriately comments on today's Devotion: "When we demand justice, it is always justice on our behalf against other people. Nobody, I imagine, would ever ask for justice to be done upon him for every thing he ever did wrong. We do not want justice--- we want revenge: and that is why, when justice is done upon us, we cry out that God is vindictive."

Today's Devotion: 1 John 4:18 (New International Version) - There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We are told not to fear, because God's love is perfect. If we fear, we cannot be made perfect in his love.

Today's Comments: What the verse above did not say that we should tolerate sin- in either others or ourselves. That is not to say that we can be perfect, either. We are made perfect in his love not because of our efforts. No, because of his love. And like him, we should do our best to love others, even if we disagree with them or their sin. I think that we can love our neighbor, but not his sin.

Today's Devotion: James 2:26 (New International Version) - As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James was not talking about being saved through works. We are saved through grace. But that grace brings good works, because we are changed by our faith, and our faith bears fruit.

Today's Comments: Why is it that sometimes, then, we try to hurt those to whom we are closest? My girlfriend and I go to two different churches. At dinner, she will tell me what her pastor said in church and then will ask what mine said. That invariably leads to an argument. I feel like she is trying to show me that her church is better. On the other hand, she accuses me of being over sensitive. Now I understand why Luther wanted to ignore James. James and Paul; they seem to create too much conflict. But maybe that is what faith is all about. If we have faith, we must get up and move. Faith does not allow us to sit still, does it?

Today's Devotion: Isaiah 49:13 (New International Version) - Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

The psalm talks about the restoration of Israel. Yet, Israel still refuses to recognize the Messiah that God sent to them.

Today's Comments: It is interesting that so much today is going on in the Middle East, wherein lie the roots of Christianity. In the last several weeks, I have been a party to many discussions concerning whether or not we are in the Last Days. One person, an Episcopal Priest, believes that Revelation was written for those who existed during the Roman Empire. Others whom I know think that those things that are mentioned in Revelation are either here or will come soon. And yet, the Bible says that only the Father knows. So we will find out, won't we?

Today's Devotion: Titus 3:7 (New International Version) - so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Justification by grace is, of course, one of the concepts that separates some of the Protestant sects from the Roman Catholics.

Today's Discussion: Of course, we must remember that good works are the fruit of steadfast faith. The Apostle James makes this clear in his Epistle. Interesting enough, however, Martin Luther had no patience for James. Many theologians surmise that Luther misunderstood James' intentions, thinking that James was really preaching a theology of salvation by works. In my opinion, Luther was wrong.

Today's Devotion: Psalm 27:1 (New International Version) - The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

The obvious answer is, "nobody."

Today's Comments: And yet, we need to be afraid of ourselves. We (including me) do things that the Lord would not be proud of. No matter what, we still need to ask him for strength. Whether it be getting mad at somebody in traffic or dealing with a vendor. We must remember that we are Christians and that we have an obligation to behave as He would want us to.

Today's Devotion: Deuteronomy 32 (NIV) 4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

The verse is lamenting the fact that God's people have neglected him. Have we also done so in New Testament times?

Today's Comments: In previous comments, I suggested that some of us were failing to heed the warnings of the Apostle Paul. Please note that I also include myself. I am no better than my friends. If I were a candidate for the priesthood, I could not, in right conscience, consider myself worthy of proclaiming to my congregation God's absolution. Nor can I see how some priests and Bishops who are living in relationships contrary to Paul's preaching can, with clear conscience, celebrate the Eucharist or proclaim God's absolution.

Today's Devotion: 2 Peter 3:10-11 (New International Version) - 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.[a]
11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.

This reminds us that we will never know when the end times will come. This passage is repeated in several other book of the Bible, as well. We must be ready for that time.

Today's Comments: It is always important to try and understand the context that scripture is written in. When looking at a verse, one should read the verses before and after. Not only does one then begin to understand what the writer was talking about and the events surrounding the writing, but sometimes one discovers other interesting things, as well.

For example, if we expand the reading above to the whole chapter, we arrive at Verse 14 through 16, which state: 14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

I have very close friends who would like to ignore the words of Paul. Peter is reinforcing our belief in the authenticity and the inspirational nature of scripture. We can't ignore Paul, because if we do, we are also ignoring Peter. If we ignore Peter, what else are we ignoring? I think that one is easy enough for all of us to figure out.

Today's Devotion: Psalm 91:1 (New International Version) - He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [a]

As long as we maintain our faith, we are under the protection of the Lord. He is our strength and our refuge. There is none other who can help us.

Today's Comments: Yesterday I met with Greg Peters, my Anglican Studies professor. We discussed the current situation with respect to the Episcopal Church. Is the Episcopal Church dwelling in the shelter of the Lord, or do we see its members proceeding in their own direction?

I think that Richard Hooker might say that our refuge can be found in scripture and our vehicle for communicating with the Most High is prayer. Both are important to understand what God wants of us and how to maintain a right relationship with him. If we strike out on our own, without his guidance, we are in danger of falling away from the path that he has set for us.

Today's Devotion: Galatians 6:16 (New International Version) - Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

Paul is talking about the New Covenant and his chosen people - the church. He is saying that circumcision is no longer required - not even to the Jews.

Today's Comments: I finished reading Glorious Companions by Richard Schmidt for my Anglican Studies Class. It is a compilation of writings from the Reformation to modern time. Which of the writers is right? Who has the real theology? The liberals or the conservatives, the Roman Catholics or the Calvinists? What is the truth? I think that this passage is trying to tell us that it is not the outward and visible signs of our religion that count, it is the inward faith and conviction that is important. Yet, the question still remains, at what point does one try to correct the errors of the church, when that inward faith and conviction is in disagreement, and is there a point where it is better to leave the church in schism, rather than continue in acceptance of perceived truths that are believed to be wrong and in conflict with scripture?

Today's Devotion: John 4:10 (New International Version) - This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[a] our sins.

John is talking about the love of God, one of his favorite subjects. Essentially the message is similar to John 3:16, but this serves as an explanation for the Gospel passage.

Today's Comments: Putting the passages from John 3:16 together with passage from 1John 3:16 yields the following results:

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
1 John 3:16 - This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Isn't that interesting?

Today's Devotion: Ephesians 3:16-17 (New International Version) - I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

We all need strength to do that which is right. It is God who gives us that strength through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Today's Comments: I have a friend who lives in England who told me about the fact that she was watching a program about a family of Christian bounty hunters who look and dress like bikers. I remember back in 1990, I attended a veteran Stand Down in San Diego. There I lived with the homeless who were there for a weekend of respite, showers, and services. The security was provided by a group of Vietnam veterans who were bikers. They dressed and looked the part, but I could not have met a nicer group of men. Sometimes we spend too much time thinking about what is outside of people and don't get down to what is really inside. It is easy to forget that the Holy Spirit can work inside of anyone. It is not the appearance that counts, it is the character.

Today's Devotion: Psalm 25:6 (New International Version) Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old

In this Psalm, the psalmist praises the Lord for all that He has done and then asks for the Lord's protection against all evil and distress.

Today's Comments: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made the Heavens and Earth. Somewhere this phrase sticks in the back of my mind, and for some unknown reason, I can't find where it came from. Yet, without him, we must realize that we will be unable to do anything that is good. We were born in sin, and it is only through His grace that we are alive.

Today's Devotion: Job 42:3 (New International Version): You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.

Job is answering God, who, in turn has been asked by Job to explain his dilemma. He acknowledges that he does not have the ability or the right to question God.

Today's Comments: Do we have a right to question God? Do we have a right to question the Bible? Some say "yes," but most say "No." Many people will acknowledge that the Bible was written for all time and that what is true in the scripture in the past is true today. Richard Hooker, who is considered the one man who has developed the definitive theology in Anglicanism, explains that God has given man scripture, reason, and tradition. It is through these vehicles that we understand the true nature of God. He suggests that even law, which was laid down by the Bible, can be changed, if the reason for the law no longer exists. One, for example, realizes that the Old Testament covenants changed because the Bible, itself, explains that a new covenant was established by Jesus. Does Hooker leave an opening, when we go back to Paul's letters and his discussion concerning the role of women in the church? We must ask ourselves, has the reason for Paul's prohibition of women taking leadership in the church significantly changed so that women might now become priests, or even bishops? Can that same reasoning be applied to the blessing of homosexual unions? Do the founders and and those influential throughout history in the Anglican Church suggest that schism between the conservative and liberal wings of the church is recommended or even warranted? This will be the subject upon which I will write a paper for my Anglican Studies Class, under the mentorship of Greg Peters, Torey Honors Professor of Medieval Theology at Biola University. I pray that the Lord will guide me in my studies, because this could be more than a paper. It could be the basis of my recommendation to our special discernment committee concerning Blessed Sacrament Episcopal Church's continued participation as a unit of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America.

Today's Devotion: John 11:26 (New International Version)
and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

These are the words that Jesus spoke to Martha when he arrived at the house of Lazarus. In response, she acknowledged her understanding that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God.

Today's Comments: Even Jesus' disciples had not realized that He was the Messiah. It would take his crucifixion and then his appearance to them after death to realize who he really was. And, we are not unlike them. We keep asking for signs, and yet there are no signs. There are no signs, not because God has failed to give them. We just fail to recognize them. The signs that he gives us are usually right there, as moments of realization in life, or perhaps a flicker of genius during moments of contemplation. Let us pray for these moments.

Today's Devotion: Ephesians 4:25 (New International Version)
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

If we are to live in harmony, we are to live in truth. This passage is very important to our everyday living and working.

Today's Comments: Last night, I returned from Denver after spending a week at the National Veterans Training Institute in a class called Promoting Partnerships. The truth is that I did not enjoy the class very much. Some of the advice given by the one of the facilitators there was wrong. She didn't know her subject very well, and I challenged her. That didn't make me too popular with either her or the class, and during the latter part of the week, I felt somewhat left out. My question is, should I have just kept my mouth shut and accepted the mediocrity?

I am also beginning to understand another truth. It may be time to retire and accelerate my studies for Deacon. I have been feeling this way for quite a while, since I returned to the Field Office from my staff assignment. However, I think that this class clinched it. The truth is that I can no longer be excited about my EDD assignments.

Today's Devotion: Hebrews 10:23 (New International Version)
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

We are reminded that we must put our trust in God. He is our help and salvation.

Today's Comments: In one of my rare moments of actually sitting down and watching something other than the news, Jeopardy, or Wheel of Fortune, I watched a PBS documentary on the building of the railroad along the River Kwai. It was amazing what the captured soldiers suffered at the hands of the Japanese, while, at the same time, they were conscripted into slave labor, starved, and beaten. When it was over, one of the survivors said that God had delivered them. To me, that is a demonstration of pure faith. I would like to have that kind of faith.

Today's Devotion: Psalm 62:6 (New International Version)
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

Today's lesson reminds us that our salvation is through the Lord.

Today's Comments: The course that I am currently taking is Anglican Studies, and the book that I am currently reading reminds us that, not only is salvation a personal thing, but it is corporate, as well. God created His church as a community of believers who draw strength from one another. While there are those who feel that the church is not necessary to salvation, they miss the point that God, through his apostles, founded the church so that it could help carry out his plan. Therefore, to deny God's church is to deny his plan for us.

Today's Devotion: Matthew 6:21 (New International Version)
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

In this group of verses, Jesus is talking about how we should behave. We are told that the treasures in heaven are much more important than the treasures on Earth. It is important that we live a life dedicated to Him. He will provide for our needs. That which we store up is not going to help us, when our life on Earth is over.

Today's Comments: I have not written in this blog for a while. Part of the reason is that I am very busy. The other part is that I am going through some issues that have also taken quite a bit of my time. And they may take additional time, in the future. I previously wrote about somebody whom I thought I might like to be with the rest of my life and that I was going to share a mission project with. It does not appear as though either is going to happen. Our break-up was my fault. The mission project was hers. I keep wondering why things have worked out the way that they have, but deep down, I know that God has a reason for these things happening. In the meantime, I will be thankful for the treasures that God has given me here on Earth, and I will try to give back to him as much as I can.

Today's Devotion: Isaiah 54:13 (New International Version): All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace.

Isaiah here is talking about the future glory of Zion. However, right now, we are far from the peace to which the prophet refers. We are at war with ourselves and with the rest of the world.

Today's Comments: How long do we have to wait for the second coming? Some say that it is here, some say that it is imminent, and some say that we can't know. There is a lesson that we can take from Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians. In this letter, Paul admonishes those who have given up their jobs and neglected their families and urges them to continue their normal lives. Looking for Christ's return does not mean that we should give up normal living. Instead, we should do our best to be a model to others and be ready for his coming. To properly do so, we need to make peace with ourselves and then the rest of the world.

Today's Devotion: Romans 12:1 (New International Version): 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[a] act of worship.

We do so much to pollute our bodies. We are not worthy of him.

Today's Comment: Needless to say, there is nothing more that I can comment on, because my body is one of my greatest weaknesses.

Today's Devotion: 1 Corinthians 15:23 (New International Version): But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

The Bible promises us that when He comes back, He will come back for those who belong to him. We need to be prepared for his coming, and we need to prepare others, as well.

Today's Comments: There is no such thing as retirement in God's Kingdom. Just look at the various meanings of the word retirement:

• verb: go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position (Example: "He retired at age 68")
• verb: withdraw from active participation (Example: "He retired from chess")
• verb: lose interest (Example: "He retired from life when his wife died")
• verb: move back and away from
• verb: pull back or move away or backward

God does not want us to withdraw, loose interest, or move back. He urges us to press forward, become involved, start a ministry. That is what preparing for His coming is all about.

Today's Devotion: Matthew 11:30 (New International Version): "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

God doesn't give us more than we can handle. When we come to him, he will give us rest.

Today's Comments: While the above is true, sometimes he gives us as much as we are able to handle. This happened to me over the summer and is one of the reasons why I have not made an entry since July 4th. I just finished a grueling five weeks of The Life of Christ, taught by Professor Phil Taylor, who is an education professor at Biola. With meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM and six papers to do, I have been very busy.

However, I have to admit that Professor Taylor's Class was marvelous. Even though there were only four of us enrolled, the class continued. From the four gospels, we learned about Jesus, his teaching, his views on money, how he taught. We studied spiritual warfare, and we were given the opportunity to view Him through the eyes of others, including film clips of movies depicting the gospels. I will never forget the smiling-blow-dry Jesus who was depicted in the movie version of Matthew's Gospel.

Although I did not particularly look forward to the projects and work, I put my heart into them and did my best. As a result, I have some additional tools that I can use in my ministry.

I also have fond memories of Professor Phil, a real teacher who is dedicated to his students. For example, he was always bringing new things into class, like pictures of the Holy City, Roman and Temple Coins, and Macadamia nut candy, from his holiday trip to Hawaii. My best memory are the dinner hours that he and I spent together over sushi at a small restaurant near the Biola Campus. I looked forward to those dinners. And I miss the intellectual stimulation, now that the class is over.

Today's Devotion: Job 10:12 (New International Version)
You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.

This is probably the only verse in the group where Job is not complaining about his plight, wondering why he is being punished. Job is eventually restored, just like we are. Because the truth is, God takes care of us, He invites us to be his children and wants to give us his love.

Today's Comments: Since my last entry, I have borne some sorrows. Pickles, my son's tenth birthday present, had to be put down. She could no longer walk straight, because her hind legs were failing her. She also had developed pancreatitis and was loosing weight, fast. It would have been a matter of a few weeks, and if I had not made the decision to put her to sleep, that time for her would have been miserable. At the same time, I am blessed with a house guest. My ex-girlfriend came to pick up her car and the clothes that she stored here before she left for Florida, almost a year and a half ago. It is nice to have her here to get all her stuff packed, because I am looking forward to having Angie come back in September. While Esther and I both agree that there is nothing left between us, we are brother and sister in Christ, and Esther has helped out by cooking meals and doing some cleaning in preparation for Angie's return. She was also with me when Pickles was put to sleep, and that was helpful. I thank God for blessing me with Esther's visit and help, and I pray for Angie's safe return in September.

Today's Devotion: Luke 12:15 (New International Version)
Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

This passage is part of the parable of the rich fool. Here is a man who thinks that he is going to be able to store up all his riches and does not realize that his life will be taken from him in a moment. The Bible instructs us to give faithfully. We should remember to do so.

Today's Comments: As one reads further on, he or she is instructed not to worry about what to eat or drink, but that God will provide. This is a passage often quoted by adherents to the Prosperity Gospel, but I think that what is being said here is that we should be content with what we have. Paul restates this in his Epistle to the Philippians (4:10-12). I think that is also what Luke means: accept what God gives us.

Today's Devotion: Matthew 7:7 (New International Version)
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

According to the Bible Exposition Commentary, by Warren Wiersby, a six volume commentary that I just purchased last week for $75, the subject of Matthew 7 is "true judgment." In such situations, as verse 7 points out, we must ask God to guide us in our judgments.

Today's Comments: Today, it appears that I have reached a critical point in my life. After spending more than two years on Division Staff, I have now been asked to go back to the field office. I am not sure if I want to do that, or not. I feel hurt and violated because of the way that this transfer was presented to me. It was because of the need of the field office, I was told. And yet, I feel that my talent in the field office will be wasted. I am now judging the motives of others and pray that God will guide me and open the door to a right decision.

Today's Devotion: Ephesians 6:18 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
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.

The context of this passage is set around Paul's discussion of spiritual warfare. He has just urged everybody to put on the armor of God so that we can fight evil in the spiritual realm. He wants us to keep communicating with the Holy Spirit by praying and to pray for each other, so that we might defend ourselves from the forces of evil.

Today's Comments: The prosperity gospel folks would use the passage above to show that if we pray for anything and everything, God will give it to us. This passage shows how important that it is to look at things in terms of their context. This means reading the material that surrounds it. And, if you have a decent bible commentary, look it up to see what the writer really means.

Today's Devotion: Joshua 24:15 (New International Version)
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

The people whom Joshua brought into the Land of Canaan were given a choice by Joshua. They could not serve the Lord and serve other Gods as well.

Today's Comments: Neither should we serve other gods. Yet we often do without knowing. Money is a big one.

We must not forget who brought us into this land of milk and honey. We are a privileged people. But remember, when the Israelites went into apostasy, they lost their land and became the slaves of the Assyrians and the Babylonians. We must not make the same mistake.

Today's Devotion: Psalm 37:8 (New International Version)
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

The solution? Trust in God. Let go of your anger and ask him to uphold you.

Today's Comment: This is an appropriate verse for today. I took a break for lunch and watched part of the 2 PM news (I stayed home from work to spend time on three papers that are due by the end of next week for my ethics class). Some person in great anger murdered a driver on the 710 freeway in a fit of road rage. The result was that there was one dead person and some innocent Caltrans workers who had to be hospitalized for treatment.

I immediately called into work, since the site of the shooting was within a few miles of my work, and the freeway was closed in both directions.

My thought is, "what is the world coming to?" Without Christ, there is chaos. The world seems to be coming to an end through our own making.

Today's Devotion: Jeremiah 32:27 (New International Version)
"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"

Jeremiah is getting the message from God that Israel will be given to the attacking Babylonians in retribution for their apostasy and sins against the Lord. The Lord giveth, and the Lord can taketh away.

Today's Comments: How many times do we do things that are wrong in the Lord's sight? Fortunately, he gave his Son for our redemption. Yet, James preaches that our good works should be the product of our faith. We need to ask God to fill our hearts with desire to do His will and glorify Him so that we may be a light in this world of darkness.

Today's Devotion: Revelation 21:2 (New International Version)
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

Revelation, of course, is talking about the coming of the Kingdom, the New Jerusalem. Whether it will be in our lifetime or sometime later, won't keep us from that day. We must continue to prepare for that wedding.

Today's Comments: For my ethics class, I am preparing a book report on Ronald Sider's Good News and Good Works. It is a book that discusses the merits of both evangelism and social concern. I believe that God calls on us to do both, until that time that the Kingdom of Christ arrives. It is how we do both that may be an interesting sidebar to my book report. In any case, we must prepare ourselves and do that which God inspires us to do.

Today's Devotion: Ephesians 4:23-24 (New International Version)
23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness

Here, Paul is teaching us that we must be different from the rest of the world. As Christians, we have new lives, new relationships, and a new Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. That also means that we must have a new attitude.

Today's Comments: Although I have been a Christian, since the age of nine, five years ago, my life drastically changed, when my wife died. And, it was in her death and in my life after she died that made me realize that God had a purpose in mind for me. Sunday, June 10th would have been our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. Although I am moving on in life, forming new relationships, and developing a new love, Norma was an important part of my life, and I honor the love that she gave to me and to others. And I truly believe that she is watching over me as I press on toward the goal of ordination and build a loving relationship with Angie.

Today's Devotion: 1 Peter 5:7 (New International Version)
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Peter is giving advice to young men in the church. The previous verses elaborate, "5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."[a] 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."

Today's Comments: How many of us truly humble ourselves before God? I was talking to a friend about humility, and he replied that sometimes we think that we are such big stuff, with all of our electronics and laptop computers. Why, I even have an Internet conference phone with speakers that I got from Fry's yesterday for $70, with a $70 rebate. But, you know what, we can't take our laptops with us to heaven, can we?

Today's Devotion: Isaiah 53:6 (New International Version)
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Make no mistake about it, we were the ones that left the sheepfold and turned to our own desires and devices. Did God abandon us? No. Instead, he sent his son to bear the punishment for our sins.

Today's Comments: The Book of Isaiah, except for Jonah, is my favorite Old Testament book. I suppose it is because I love Handel's Oratorio The Messiah so much, and much of it is taken from the Book of Isaiah. It makes me think how much that God gave for us and how little we give back.

My son, Chris and his wife Kristi are in Uganda now, trying to give back something to the Lord. I was honored to receive the following from Kristi last night. I hope that they don't mind me putting it here. But the message means a lot to me:

Hello! (just a side note, this email turned out to be extremely long - sorry!)

I just wanted to let you know that we arrived safely in Uganda, and are enjoying every second of it! It absolutely lives up to every expectation. The driving is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Cars, motorcycles, bikes, and pedestrians all share the same roads, and its each man for himself!

Thursday and Friday we went out to Kachungwa (located in the “bush”, looks more like a jungle). Most of the children had never seen ‘Mzumbu’s (white people) before. As soon as we stepped out of our car, we were literally surrounded by 300 laughing, dancing, clapping children. I never imagined that a digital camera could bring anyone so much joy. We would take their pictures and then show it back to them. They thought it was the best game on earth! They showed us their homes (real mud huts with thatched roofs) – it looked like something strait out of National Geographic.

Just a funny side note – as we were hiking through the jungle, we asked about snakes. They told us that there were no snakes there. Later, we asked about Black Mambo snakes. They answered, ‘Oh, they live everywhere, but you'll never see them.’ Glad I didn’t know that during the hike! Then last night, a (non-poisonous) snake dropped out of a tree and almost landed on Kim.

As we were leaving the village, the people brought us gifts. They gave us each a live chicken! We convinced them to keep most of the chickens for us, but they insisted on sending one away with us. We named it Henrietta.

Well, there is lots more to tell, but we have already filled up your mailbox enough. Honestly, I am still trying to process a lot of what I have seen. Hope all is well there!

Please pray for us as we assess the situations in the 2 different villages. If this is to be a 5-10 year partnership, we certainly desire to choose wisely in terms of needs, opportunities, and partnering relationships. Not surprisingly, the “needs” issue seems to be constant everywhere.

We were with the children during their prayer time. They didn’t just pray. They prayed. It was probably the most fervent spirituality I have ever seen. We asked the church leaders about it. They said that the people in the village know that their only hope in the world is in the Lord, so they pray with everything they have.

Thanks again for all of your love and support on this adventure. We feel incredibly blessed to be experiencing this place and meeting these people!

Today we head out to Bethany Village, located on an island in Lake Victoria. We take a boat, and then motorcycles to get there. Can't wait!

Love you! Hope all is wonderful!

Kristi and Chris

Today's Devotion:2 Corinthians 4:18 (New International Version)
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Paul is encouraging the church at Corinth after finding out that most of the problems that he heard about have been addressed. Again, he is reminding us, as he has at other times, to focus on that for which we were created.

Today's Comments: In Bible Study tonight, we talked about the references to the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John. The Holy Spirit speaks to us in different ways, and we all must seek to understand. By focusing on the Spirit, we will learn what He has in store for us.

Today's Devotion: 1 Corinthians 3:19 (New International Version)
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"[a];

Paul is scolding the church at Corinth for fighting amongst themselves as to which of the apostles should be followed. He is saying that it is not important who one follows in this world; our reality should be fixed on Christ.

Today's Comments: My friend Angie is a good example of one who has fixed herself on Christ. As our relationship has developed, she has made it clear that she is willing to follow me and support me in my ministry. Except for my late wife Norma, who was willing to follow me anywhere, Angie is the only other person that I have known that has been willing to state that kind of commitment. My love and respect grows for her every day.

Here is a picture of the land area that she wants to donate for missionary purposes. I am looking forward seeing it for myself.

Today's Devotion: Philippians 4:12 (New International Version)
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Paul wrote this while he was imprisoned, most probably in Rome, during his first imprisonment there. Even in prison, he was content knowing that God was there for him and that God's purpose for him was being fulfilled.

Today's Comments: I wonder how adherents to the prosperity gospel explain this passage? There is no question in my mind that sometimes we have to make sacrifices and that our life on earth is not always going to be milk and honey. I can just see Gloria Copeland telling Paul that he did not pray right to the Lord the night before charges were filed against him.

Interestingly enough, if you do a web search using the term "prosperity gospel Gloria", the first entry that comes up is Ken Copeland Ministries. Wikipedia credits Ken Copeland as being the at the center of this movement.

In any case, Paul was grateful to be in the Lord's service, wherever the Lord wanted him to go. I want to be like Paul.

Today's Devotion: Matthew 4:19 (New International Version)
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

Jesus called his disciples from all walks of life: four were fishermen, one was a tax collector. Among the apostles, Luke was a physician. Paul was a Pharisee and was also probably a member of the Sanhedrin.

Today's Comments: Jesus has a purpose for all of us. It is up to us to listen and then act. And, as in the case of Paul, God made him listen. Sometimes God makes us listen, too. And, sometimes he tells us by showing us. That happened to me today, when I provided services to an Iraqi War vet who ended up with serious burns and scars from a suicide bombing. He wasn't bitter. He just did his duty, and now, after being patched up, he wants to move on. And I am glad that I am able to help him.

Today's Devotion: Psalm 139:14 (New International Version)
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

The psalmist praises God for his own individual creation. Each one of us is unique and created by God for use as God's instrument. Some of us are created for the ministry, some of us are created to become leaders, some of us are created to become martyrs. God knows us, just as he knew us before we were created. There is nothing about us that it is unknown to him. He knows our love, just as well as he knows our sins. Nothing is hidden. All is up front.

Today's Comments: It is, of course, obvious from this blog that I believe that I have a calling to a ministry for veterans, and I am in the process of attending Talbot to get the education that I need for that ministry. At the same time, more is happening than even I expected. My friend Angie, from the Philippines, and I are working on a mission building project on the Island of Quezon, where she has property that she wants to donate for that purpose. The initial meeting has taken place with Pastor Chito from the ABBCOP, a group of mission organizations in the Philippines. They are interested in using her land for the purpose of building a training center for their mission projects. They will be meeting again in June, probably on site. It is amazing how excited that my son, Chris, is about this project. He thinks that, for my age, it is pretty cool that I am involved in something like this. One of my proposals is that, when the training center is not used, the ABBCOP should make it available to military service members who serve in Southeast Asia.

Today's Devotion: Matthew 14:14 (New International Version)
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick

Matthew is leading up to the story of the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus had just learned of the death of John the Baptist and had attempted to withdraw to a solitary place. We also know from Matthew's account that a large number of people followed him. And it was this group, upon which Jesus took compassion.

We have no idea of how many people that he healed. But we do know that Jesus was with them to the end of the day, so one might expect that there were many people that he healed. At this point, one might wonder that with so many people and so much healing, there may have been many untold miracles performed that day. And such healing that he performed might have been as dramatic, if not more so, than the feeding of the 5,000 with the five loaves of bread and two fish. Oh to have been there to see!!!

Today's Comments: Today, I have been playing the part of healer. First, to veterans through my work - helping them to get jobs - and second to both my pets. Tigger the Cat got sick (hairball), and I had to clean up after her. Then Pickles got sick (I think from a flavor of dog food that I accidentally bought). It looked like the canned Mighty Dog Beef in Gravy that I normally feed her, but it it is Roasted Beef (Also in a can). I am concerned, because the pouched flavor of the same name was recalled. I ask for all my friends to pray for her healing.

Today's Comments: 1 Corinthians 1:8 (New International Version)
He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this book, Paul is addressing a church that is in division and disunity. He exhorts us to be strong and firm in our faith. So it is that we must be strong in our purpose and resolve so that our purpose may be fulfilled in him.

Today's Comments: First, I have to excuse myself from not being consistent about my writing. Besides the fact that my son, Chris was here with his wife Kristi over the weekend, I also suffered a computer crash and had to take my laptop in for servicing. This meant transferring all my files and programs to my desktop. And that was quite a job.

The mission in the Philippines is progressing. Next week Angie has a meeting with Pastor Chito to discuss her donation of 2.4 acres to be used as a training center for OMF affiliated programs. I can imagine that I, at some point in time, will be called to make the trip over, and look forward to that prospect.

Which brings up a personal question for me: is it now time to retire, so that I can accelerate my studies and have time to work on those things that are most important to the Lord? I told myself that, at some point, when I don't feel that I can make a difference, it might be time for me to retire. I am starting to feel that now. It is obvious that my Division Chief does not value my importance on his staff, and I am not sure that I really want to go back to the field office. I have suggested 60% partial retirement so that I will work on staff two days a week. I will see what his answer is.

Today's Devotion: 2 Thessalonians 3 (New International Version)
May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

We must remember that the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians was written to correct problems in the church, specifically believers who, thinking that the last days were imminent, were giving up and neglecting their families and their work. Here Paul is cautioning them against being idle. While we need to be ready for the Second Coming, we should not be idle. We need to remember God's love and Christ's perseverance and do the same. No matter what, we need to love the Lord our God with all of our being, as well as our neighbor.

Today's Comments: Another semester at Talbot is over. Summer school starts the week after next. I will be starting a Christian ethics class. That will be interesting. I hope that my work with both the Old and New Testaments will help me. One thing that I can be sure of is that I am not going to be idle, like those Thessalonians were. Unfortunately, I know too many people who sit back and let the world pass them by. As Christians, our job is to be a light to the world. So, whatever we do, we can't let the light burn out, can we?

Today's Devotion: 1 Chronicles 29:15 (New International Version)
We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.

Without reading the surrounding verses, we are bound to misinterpret this particular passage. It is not saying that our life on earth here is hopeless. It is really saying "without God, our life here on earth is hopeless." This passage refers to David's giving thanks to God for the abundance that he has been given for use in building the Temple in Jerusalem. He is about to turn over his reign to Solomon, his son, whom God had appointed to be the creator of his great Temple. Even as a king, David practiced humility before God, and we should do the same.

Today's Comments:

I have not been doing a very good job in keeping my blog up to date. For that I have two reasons. First, I have been spending every moment that I can with my new girlfriend, and second, I have been spending every moment that I can doing work and research on my final class project. Incompatible? Not exactly. While we have been spending some time visiting her relatives in this area (she is from the Philippines and has been visiting her son, who is a theology doctoral candidate at Fuller Seminary, in Pasadena), she has what appears to be a whole village of relatives in Cerritos. Saturday, after attending a family picnic, she came over to my house to fix dinner and just be with me while I work on my paper. She even cleaned up my kitchen and refrigerator and then went outside to pick grapefruits off the backyard tree. I have not, since my wife died, felt such love or devotion from someone. From the picnic, she had me bring home enough food so that I wouldn't have to cook last night or tonight. I haven't seen her since Sunday and won't until Thursday, after I turn my paper in and then I will only see for a few hours while I take her to the airport. I am going to miss her.

But, like David, I will have something to thank God for. It looks like her (now our) project to donate her land in the Philippines for mission use may be successful. Through a friend at church (a Biola professor) and his referral to another professor, we were able to make contact with a group who appears to be interested. I ask all who read this to pray for our success.

Today's Devotion: Romans 1:16-17 (New International Version)
16I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[a] just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."[b]

Our salvation is universal, just as long as we believe and accept Jesus Christ into our lives.

Today's Comments: When I wrote my blog last night, I was in Sacramento for a disABILITIES Advisory Committee meeting. I am back in my hotel and am looking forward to another half day of meeting, before I go home. We seem to be getting a lot accomplished, and the committee is a great group of people. Ultimately, we can help a lot of disabled people in the department if we just keep on track. Paul, in the verse above, is also asking us to keep on track in our Christian lives. We should all pray for each other that we will.

Today's Devotion: 2 Corinthians 12:9 (New International Version)
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Here Paul is talking about a "thorn" or challenge in his life that he has been given. There was something that is unnamed that was tormenting Paul. It could have been illness, it could have been aggravation that existed in his ministry. The reply that he receives is that God's grace is enough.

Today's Comments:
I can't help but go back to the challenge that my wife's Multiple Sclerosis played in our lives. I don't think that God caused it, but I do think that God allowed it to work to improve the lives of others, including myself, who knew her. When He was through using her for His purpose, he called her to Heaven so that she could claim her reward.

Norma's weakness inspired me to be an advocate on her behalf and on the behalf of veterans for whom I now hope to serve as a Deacon in the church. For many others from Blessed Sacrament who visited her on a regular basis, her attitude taught people how to minister. Her caring for me and them taught all of us what it means to care for somebody and how it feels to be cared for.

I never thought that I would meet somebody who cares for me as much as Norma did. But I think that I may have come close. Actually, there are two people. One is a wonderful friend from Arizona and the other is becoming more than just a wonderful friend. It is for that reason, I have not had time to update my blog. She is here in the U.S. and will be returning to the Philippines to work on her mission project, in which I have become involved. I may, through friends at church, be able to find an interested party who will want to use the 2.5 acres that she wishes to donate for missionary use.

What happens from here is difficult to predict. But I am sure that my future will be revealed in time.

Today's Devotion: Hebrews 10:22 (New International Version) ......let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Max Lucado points out that faith is not a an award given to the most learned, but it is a desperate dive out of a sinking boat with the prayer that God will pull us out of the water. Remember when Peter tried to walk on the water toward Jesus? Like Peter, without His hand out there to guide us, we are often likely to sink.

Today's Comments: In our Bible study of the Gospel of John, our leader, Roger, asked us which of the seven signs do we think of when we relate it to our faith. I thought for a few minutes and then pictured Jesus out there walking on the water toward his disciples. No matter how hard I try, I will need His hand to steady me. I know my path, and I know what I need to do to get down it. However, I still need that hand to help me get there.

Today's Devotion: Titus 2:14 (New International Version)
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Paul here is telling Titus that we, as saved people, should be eager to do good. Our special relationship with Christ does not excuse us from sin. James, tells us, in fact, that our good works should flow from the relationship that we have with Jesus.

Today's Comments: There is no question about it: it is difficult to be good with all the bad going on around us. I think that sometimes we feel overwhelmed, because we see so much poverty, neglect, drug use, etc. What can we do about it. The answer is simple. We just take one thing at a time, one step at a time, and one minute at a time. One of my favorite stories is the Starfish Story, and it illustrates what I mean. A very nice version is located at http://www.cuttyhunkroseinspirations.com/starfish.htm. Read it, and you will understand.

Today's Devotion: 1 John 4:4 (New International Version)
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

"Them" in this verse refers to the spirit of the Antichrist. The key to understanding this verse is to understand that "Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God." The key to understanding today's thought is that because the Holy Spirit is in us, we are protected.

Today's Comments:

This verse provides the perfect opportunity to bring up spiritual warfare. The Book of Ephesians (6:10-18) talks about the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. These are the same forces that John is talking about. Paul then tells us to put on the full armor of God. It is the spirit within us which gives us the knowledge and ability to stand up against those forces.

Today's Devotion: Romans 8:33 (New International Version)
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

There are two points to this verse:

1. We are chosen by God
2. We are justified by God

Anybody that stands between God and us (i.e. Satan) will not prevail as long as God is on our side.

Today's Comments:

Between yesterday's root canal and today's State Military Reserve Duty, I am wasted. However, it is a comforting thought that I am still alive and am still working toward my goal as a deacon. As I stated in a message that I sent to a friend, "At this stage in life, all I can do is try to do something to fulfill the purpose of my being. Although I am so busy, I feel at peace with life. That tells me that I am doing the right thing."

Today's Devotion: Matthew 14:28 (New International Version)
Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

Peter got out of the boat and started to walk toward Jesus, but then sank. Our faith sometimes does very little to uphold us. And yet, he still holds us up.

Today's Comments:

I have faith that everything is running smoothly for me. I met with my volunteer faculty advisor at Talbot this morning to go over the list of classes that the Episcopal Church Diocese Standing Committee wants me to take. I had terrible fears that I would have to go to another seminary (perhaps Claremont) to pick up some of the courses. However, it looks like I can do them all at Talbot, including my Clinical Pastoral Education. And, Professor Greg Peters of the Apologetics Department has volunteered to teach an independent studies course on Anglican Theology. What a blessing. I pray that the Episcopal Church will accept that.

Today's Devotion: 1 Peter 3:12 (New International Version

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

The devotional today talks about the fact that God will answer our prayers. But, sometimes, he does not answer them as we might expect. He will give us one of four answers:

• Yes: he will grant our request
• No: he has something else in mind
• Slow: this is going to take some time
• Go: go for it!!!

Today's Comments:

The situation above with my ministry. right now, is Slow. While I thought that summer courses might be a prospect, the courses that I need are not being offered. I have a meeting with two people tomorrow so that I can set up a schedule for the coming year that will include independent Anglican studies, which the Episcopal Church insists that I need for ordination. Fortunately, Greg Peters, a Biola Apologetics professor, member of my church and an aspirant to the priesthood is willing to put an Anglican Studies program together for the Fall. He is developing the course, because he needs to take it himself.

Today's Devotion: James 4:8 (New International Version)
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

The point of this devotion is that we take the time to do a lot of things in our life, but we don't take the same time to give to God. I know a lot of people who call themselves Christians, but they often don't take the time to go to church to worship God.

The theme of James is "faith that works." If we focus on our faith, we will find that faith will generate good works in our life and in the lives of others.

Today's Comments:
Tonight, we hosted Evensong and a barbecue for the other churches in our deanery. We had approximately ten people show up from two different churches. But they showed up for dinner, not for the worship. What does that say?

Today's Devotion: Psalm 139 (New International Version)

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

The implication here is that we are all one of a kind. God put us here for a purpose. And sometimes, like Jonah, he will lead us to places where we may or may not want to go.

Today's Comments:

Last night I received an email message from a friend with whom I am corresponding on the Internet. She is from the Philippines, but she has a son who is working on his PhD in Theology at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena. She mentioned to me that she has some property in the Philippines that she wants to donate for missionary use. And we have problems in our own church parish just making budget. In reality, we are exhorted to give to God the first fruits of our labor. Yet, so often we give what is left over. On the other hand, God has given us something unique and individual. In reality, we are his first fruits. Just think what it would be like if we weren't. Does that suggest something?

Today's Devotion: Psalm 31:24 (New International Version)
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

Max Lucado interprets this passage as an exhortation to courage and goes on to say that inward character builds courage. At Blessed Sacrament, my church, there has been a lot of talk about the concept of spiritual warfare, and in class we have talked about the spiritual realm around us. The bottom line is that we must have conviction, and we must build courage to uphold those convictions.

Today's Comments:

I have been in the process of preparing for another test. Our professor decided to stick in an extra quiz before the end of the term. Part of the test is on the Pastoral Gospels, and I was reviewing notes from 1 Timothy. It is an important chapter to me, because it discusses the role of women in the church. My pastor and my professor both believe that women should not be pastors in the church. On the other hand, the Episcopal Church has made it clear that it favors the ordination of women and homosexuals to both priesthood and the episcopate.

When I first applied for candidacy as Deacon, I told my interview panels that I had not formed an opinion as to whether or not women should be ordained as pastors or bishops, but after reading 1 Timothy, I am sure that the Bible is clear on prohibiting women as bishops (or overseers). This is the conviction that at some point in my ordination process I am going to need courage to express, even though it could potentially cost my candidacy.

Today's Devotion: Romans 1:20 (New International Version)
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Romans tells us that even those who have never been visited by missionaries have been exposed to God's presence. Just look at a sunset, the clouds, beautiful mountains. As Max Lucado accurately states, "Nature is God's first missionary."

Today's Comments:

Today, I worked in the Long Beach Workforce Services Office training their two new veterans' representatives. One of the Long Beach EDD employees was having a birthday party: she brought the lunch and the cake for her own birthday party. As she explained, EDD is her family, and she wanted to do something that would make everybody remember her birthday and her should she decide to retire, some day. What a way to do it!!!! She is the kind of person who I think that I would like to celebrate Christmas with. Way to go, Maria!!!

Today's Devotion:Psalm 32:1 (New International Version)
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

While our sins are forgiven because of our faith in Jesus as our Savior, confession is an important part of our Christian life.

Today's Comments:
James advises us to confess to one another and further tells us, "if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins."

Today's Devotion: John 15:15 (New International Version)
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

And, it is all in the Bible.

Today's Comments:

Today's verse brings to mind my ex-girlfriend. She adheres to the theological anomaly commonly known as the Prosperity Gospel. This theory says that if you ask the Lord for it, you will get it. If you don't get it, then you asked for it wrong. Ken and Gloria Copeland preach this brand of theology.

Adherents to the Prosperity Gospel like to pick and choose the books that fit their theory. If it doesn't fit, then they don't read it. For example, the Old Testament books are off limits, because they are superseded by the New Testament. This is despite the fact that Jesus, himself, preached the Old Testament on the Road to Emmaus. I am sure that the books of James and Peter will bring some discomforting thoughts to some PG believers, as well.

The point here is that He wants us to read His word. He wants us to understand. And sometimes, he wants us to make sacrifices. He doesn't always give us what we ask for. Sometimes his answers are varied:

• Yes
• No
• Slow
• Go

He knows what is best for us, and what he gives us is always the best. He is a real friend.

Bible Verse of the Week--- Titus 3:5: He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Today's Devotion:

1 John 3:2 (New International Version)
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears,we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Today's devotion and Bible verse of the week go together.

• We are saved because of his mercy
• What we will be is, for most of us, still yet to come.
• We will be like him and will see him as he is.

We should continue to pray for his guidance and try to understand his purpose for us. Even if we don't fully understand our purpose, we know that it involves loving Him and our neighbors. Right there is a good start.

Today's Comments:

I have been nursing a bad knee. It is possibly arthritis and may be pain that I will have to live with. Next Sunday night, my church is putting on a barbecue for all the Episcopal Churches in our deanery (local area). Most of those churches are liberal in view and disagree with the conservative views of my parish, Blessed Sacrament. However, we are making the effort to meet with them, and, at my request, part of the service, before hand, will focus on both individual healing and healing of the church, as we take a lesson from the Epistle of James.

Today's Devotion: Luke 5:16 (New International Version)
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed

It is hard to pray, isn't it? I don't think that I do a very good job. Maybe that is one of the reasons that I am doing this blog. It gives me a chance just to sit and focus on God and how much he makes a difference in my life.

Today's Comments:

I got up at 4:45 AM and was not able to get back to sleep, so I thought that I would spend some quality time with my blog. It was cold tonight, I turned on the heater, which I rarely do. Even with the cat snuggled up on one side and the dog on the other, I couldn't get back to sleep. I have a lot of work to do for my New Testament seminary class. There's plenty of time for it. However, I hope that just doing this writing and thinking will help clear my mind and that I can go back to sleep. In the meantime, I will try to keep my mind open and my heart in prayer, asking the Lord to remember those who I love, the veterans that I work with, those service man who are overseas fighting the war on terrorism.

Which reminds me. It seems like almost everyday, since the massacre at Virginia Tech, there have been shootings or threats of shooting. All of a sudden, we are getting a rash of threats in our EDD call centers. I am keeping a threat database for our Division Chief, and yesterday, I drafted a memo for him to remind all of our Field Offices that no threat, whether actual or perceived, should be ignored. If there is anybody out there that is reading this blog, I pray that you keep that in mind, also. It seems like there is very little distance between thought and action, these days, no matter how evil the thought is.

Today's Devotion: Psalm 40:8 (New International Version)
I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
How often do we stray? More than we want to admit. This verse reminds us to listen to Him. If we do, we will know what his will for us is.

Today's Comments:
I got an email from a very close friend, and she apologized because she is so busy and does not have time to write to me. Her message made me think about what a true friend really is. I sent her back a note saying that I knew that she would jump on a plane to fly out to see me, if I called her and asked her to do so. And, I would do the same thing for her. As long as I am in her prayers, that is enough. I can wait for the emails, but I will always have her friendship.

New Testament Survey Class
Professor Ben Shin

Steve Sterry
Expositional Paper
James 5:13-20


Background
The six sources used in researching this paper fail to unanimously agree on the author of the Epistle of James (a complete bibliography is included at the end of this paper). Five point to James, the Brother of Jesus, as the only logical author, after eliminating all of the other James’s. The Interpreter’s Bible, however, begs the question all together by an admission that there is no strong case for any of the known James, thus eliminating all the biblical James’s and instead concluding that the author must be some other James that nobody had considered.

On the other hand, all of the sources agree that this epistle was written to a Jewish audience living outside Palestine. Dr. John Hutchison believes that the letter was written with Jews in Babylonia and Mesopotamia in mind, while the Jerusalem Bible suggests those Jewish Christians in countries near Palestine, like Syria and Egypt were the likely audience. The Expositors Bible Commentary suggests that it was addressed to those Jews who were driven out of Jerusalem as a result of the martyrdom of Stephen in 35AD. The Interpreter’s Bible is careful to point out that those to whom the letter was written were, in fact, not just “God fearers,” but were practicing Jewish Christians. Finally, the IVP Online Commentary gives the most detailed explanation, suggesting that the writer was addressing people of Jewish upbringing with a fairly recently acquired Christian faith who were experiencing a severe persecution at the hands of their erstwhile leaders in Judaism. Furthermore, they were mourning deeply because of the death of their loved and respected leader, Stephen (Acts 7). In the meantime, the commentary continues, almost all the Christians (except for some apostles, including James) had been driven from their homes in Jerusalem and scattered to other places.

There is, unfortunately, no real agreement as to when the letter was written. Those sources attributing the writing to James, the brother of Jesus, cite dates that include AD 45 and 50. Obviously, if this James is the author, his letter would have been completed by AD 62, the accepted date of his martyrdom. The one source that is in disagreement with this James as the author sets the time of writing at 80 AD, or later.

Several themes are suggested by the sources listed in the bibliography, none of which totally agree with each other. They include:
§ A Manual for Christian Conduct
§ Faith that works
§ General Paraenesis (exhortation and advice)
§ Faith justified by works
§ (1) Concern for the poor and lowly and (2) Christians must do good and not be content with a faith that produces nothing.
§ A type of sermon letter, but more perhaps, to refute certain Christians who drew pernicious conclusion from Paul’s teachings.
There is just as much diversity in the suggestions for the purpose of the letter:
§ To encourage and exhort persecuted believers by demonstrating the connection between inward faith and outward works.
§ To make needed changes in one’s life and corporate relationships, because of problems that had arisen in the church.
§ A sermon against Jewish-Christian Intolerance
§ A call to serve both God and sinners.

Those commentaries which discussed source material for the letters agree that they include Old Testament wisdom literature, teaching of the Gospels, and the Interpreter’s Bible suggests additional sources attributed to another letter, one called “Jacob.”

Contents
After reviewing the various outline suggestions suggested by the research sources, this writer chose the outline suggested by The Jerusalem Bible, because it appeared to make the most sense when the book is read:
1. Chapter 1:
a. Trials a Privilege
b. Temptation (not a product of God)
c. True Religion (Listening to the Word is not enough, without doing it.)
2. Chapter 2:
a. Respect for the Poor (You cannot make distinctions between the poor man or the rich man.)
b. Faith and Good Works (They must go together.)
3. Chapter 3
a. Uncontrolled Language (Watch your tongue; Teachers are judged at a higher standard.)
b. Real Wisdom and its opposite (Real wisdom comes from God and does not include jealousy or ambition.)
4. Chapter 4/5
a. Disunity among Christians (Unfaithfulness and conflict among brothers caused by ambition and pride.)
b. A warning for the rich and self confident (We should discern the Lord’s will and not our own, which can be influenced by pride and material motivation.).
c. A final exhortation

It is the final exhortation that contains the verses that are the focus of this paper. The three major thoughts that are suggested by this exhortation are:
1. Be patient (without complaint) for the Lord’s coming, which will be soon.
2. Do not swear by oaths. Just say “yes or no.”
3. The power of prayer and forgiveness
It is this last thought, the power of prayer and forgiveness, that is addressed in the verses covered by this paper.

Structure
Each of the above suggestions of purpose, theme, and content appears to have some ring of truth. However, when one attempts to look at the actual organization (or disorganization) of the material in the letter, there is very little thematic unity that appears to tie the total contents together into a simple, neat, understandable package, unless one is willing to admit that the letter is a mere collection of general paraenesis, as suggested by The Interpreter’s Bible.

However, if the author was, in fact, James, the brother of Jesus, his purpose in writing might involve the continuance of his preaching to and his leadership of Jewish Christians that was evident during the Jerusalem Council in AD 49. In which case, James might merely be enumerating the major problems observed within the Church, discussing such specific situations that he felt were important to address, while suggesting individual and corporate healing to church members through use of the power of prayer and forgiveness. Thus, if this premise is accepted, Chapter 5, verses 13 through 20 could provide the key to solving the problems previously enumerated and might be outlined as follows:
 The elders and their responsibilities for solving problems in the church, especially through repentance and prayer
 The power of prayer
 The power of forgiveness

Interpretation
Incorporating the premise outlined above, the verses of this section might be interpreted as follows:
§ Verse 13: If anyone of you is in trouble, he should pray; if anyone is feeling happy, he should sing a psalm.
o This verse contains a general thought that opens the discussion about problem solving: If one accepts the concept of praise (or singing of psalms) as prayer, then it is a call to prayer in every aspect of life. Psalms would include hymns and spiritual songs, as well.
o The IVP Commentary suggests that “Prayer is the encompassing instruction, because it is the right course of action for the full range of life-situations.”
§ Verse 14: If any one of you is ill, he should send for the elders of the church, and they must anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord and pray over him.
o The verse, here, is asking the reader to take a specific action, based on a specific condition. Note that there is no reference to whether or not the illness is physical or spiritual.
o Elders, who also were called overseers and were later called Bishops, ran the early church with the assistance of Deacons. The office of Presbyter did not develop until later on. Therefore, it would, be normal for the elder or a group of elders to visit the sick person and provide ministry and comfort to him or her.
o Unction, or the anointing of a person with oil, is considered to be in most catholic and orthodox churches as a sacrament or quasi-sacrament, but probably originated from the idea that the oil had actual healing properties when applied to the patient for physical maladies.
o This verse appears to recommend a specific action based upon the fact that a church member is ill, and that action might be suggested here for both physical and spiritual healing.
o Prayer here would seem to be the primary process with the use of oil as part of the ritual or, perhaps, a secondary action to assist with the healing. In today’s catholic liturgy, for example, oil serves as a ritualistic symbol of healing. It is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.
§ Verse 15: The prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up again; and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.
o Verse 15 now states the effect of the action taken in verse 14. Note that prayer over the sick person not only causes the restoration of health, but it also brings forgiveness of one’s sins.
o Implicit in this thought is the concept that God could send physical illness as a disciplinary agent. In such cases, the application of prayer by the elders would then heal the underlying spiritual problem and consequently the physical sickness caused by that problem.
§ Verse 16: So confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, and this will cure you; the heartfelt prayer of a good man works very powerfully.
o Verse 15 is now stated in another way and is expanded beyond just the prayers of the elders to all the members of the Church and, perhaps, to all conditions in the Church. It is possibly the key thought of the whole segment and, perhaps, the whole book. For, if we confess our sins to one another and pray for each other, both the individual and corporate problems stated in the earlier chapters will cease to exist or will be mitigated.
o The IVP Commentary states, “Instead of judging each other, we will be driven to confess to each other. Instead of desiring to place guilt on each other, we will become eager to forgive each other. Instead of moving to criticize, we will move to intercede for each other. A spirit of reconciliation will pervade the church.” Isn’t this the thought that James might be trying to get across?
§ 17-18. Elijah was a human being like ourselves- he prayed hard for it not to rain, and no rain fell for three-and-a-half years; then he prayed again and the sky gave rain and the earth gave crops.
o Here is an example of a righteous man whose prayers were answered by God. It implies that we too might have that power, if we follow the steps outlined above.
o What better way is there to support the preceding thoughts than to cite the example of a prophet who was known and respected by all of the Christian Jews to whom James was speaking?
§ Verses 19-20: My brothers, if one of you strays away from the truth and another brings him back to it, he may be sure that anyone who can bring back a sinner from the wrong way that he has taken will be saving a soul from death and covering up a great number of sins.
o James may be referring to the flock (my brothers) that has been scattered due to the intense persecution of Jewish Christians by either the Romans or non-Christian Jews. It is, first, an exhortation to bring the wanderers back.
o The term covering up probably means expungement, and it may refer to covering up the sins of the wanderer, as well as to the one who brings the wanderer back.
o It is essentially the reward for carrying out the actions that the writer is recommending.

Conclusion
This writer believes that the Epistle of James speaks to those Christian Jews who were disbursed throughout the world as a result of persecution. While it appears to be exhortation and/or encouragement toward better Christian living, its scope is not restricted to the individual. Instead, it seeks to solve the problems of a fractionalized church, whose members have been disbursed by persecution, first by healing both physical and spiritual illness in the individual, second by corporate healing of the body of the church, and finally through the forgiveness of sins, knowing that with healing comes forgiveness, and with forgiveness comes reconciliation.

Roger Rose, a retired Episcopal Priest and the leader of a Bible study group in which this writer participates describes the philosophy of member relationships in the African Anglican Church. It is, in this writer’s opinion, the same simple philosophy that reflects the purpose and motivation of James in writing this Epistle:
I am because We are because He is.

Bibliography

§ A Survey Of The New Testament, Fourth Edition, Robert H. Gundry, published by Zondervan, Grand Rapid, MI, 2003
§ Matthew – Revelation, TTBE 520, Dr. John Hutchison, Talbot School of Theology, published by Biola University Bookstore
§ The Jerusalem Bible, Alexander Jones, General Editor, published by Doubleday and Company, Inc., Garden City, New York, 1966
§ The Interpreter’s Bible (in Twelve Volumes), Volume XII, Published by Arlington Press, New York, NY and Nashville, TN, 1957
§ The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12, Frank E. Gaebelein, General Editor, published by Zondervan, Grand Rapid, MI, 1981
§ IVP New Testament Commentaries, Series Editor Grant R. Osborne, Consulting Editor D. Stuart Briscoe and Haddon Robinson InterVarsity Press (http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/index.php?action=getBookSections&cid=13&source=)