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.